Mattress or box spring cover



March 7, 1950 G. G. THOMAS 2,499,698

MATTRESS OR BOX SPRING COVER Fi led April 1, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3O 7 6 3 4 m F I6. I I 4 H 22 mm "Wm, um 18 ,2 9 ii 26 I 'JNVENTOR. .Grefc/aen Gui-Ton Thomas Attorney March 7, 1950 5. G. THOMAS 2,499,698

MATTRESS 0R BOX SPRING COVER Filed April 1, 1948 a Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Gretchen Gorton Thom 0s Attorney Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,499,698 MATTRESS on BOX SPRING covm Gretchen G. Thomas, Kokomo, Ind. Application April 1, 1948, Serial No. 18,403

5 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a cover for a bed mattress or for a box spring and more particularly to a form of mattress cover or box spring cover which is adapted to be applied to or removed from a mattress or box spring by one person without assistance and which may by a slight modification be used on a Hollywood bed.

Many forms of mattress covers and box spring covers have heretofore been devised and used, but they have not been entirely satisfactory, it is believed for the reasons that the construction has been such that they could not be applied to a mattress or box spring by one person without extreme physical effort and they could not be laundered without entrapping air during the laundering operation, frequently causing injury to the fabric or to the laundering machinery.

One form of mattress cover which has been used comprises a fabric in the form of an envelope which is open at one end and into which the mattress is inserted, after which the open end is closed by means of a section of fabric fastened in place. This form of. cover is neat in appearance but it is unwieldy and cannot be put in place on a mattress or removed therefrom by one person under ordinary circumstances. Furthermore during laundering, this form of cover acts as an air pocket, entrapping air in the envelope which is extremely difficult to remove and which interferes both in the washing operation and in removing water therefrom in passing through the wringer. Other forms of mattress cover have been used, but, mattress ,cover has ever appeared on the market which is neat in appearance, which may be applied to a mattress or box spring by one person without assistance and which may be easily laundered. A

The present invention comprises a form of mattress cover or box spring cover having a main section or body portion of suillcient area to fully cover the upper surface or under surface of the mattress or box spring, a front section or cover portion and a rear section or cover portion, adapted to be folded over the forward side portion and the rear side portion of the mattress or box spring and to overlap under the mattress, unitary end portions adapted to be folded over the front end and back end of the mattress or box spring into contact with the under side of the mattress or box spring and auxiliary end sections at each end of the cover in folded position adapted to be fastened in place over the front end and rear end of the mattress, thus forming as far as I am aware, no form of a neat unitary structure which completely envelopes the mattress or box spring on which it is used.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a form of mattress cover or box spring cover which may be applied to and removed from the same by one person without assistance and without having to turn the mattress or box spring over in applying or removing the cover.

Another object of the invention is to provide a form of mattress cover and box spring cover which may be spread out in a single plane in substantially the form of a sheet so that it may be readily laundered without forming air pockets in the cover, thereby avoiding injury to the fabric and avoiding danger of clogging or fouling the washing and wringer apparatus during the laundering operation.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a form of cover for a mattress or box spring which may be manufactured at a low cost, and which may be applied to or removed from a mattress or box spring without having to turn or lift the same as a whole and which with a slight modification may be used on a Hollywood bed.

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises the various features and combinations hereinafter more fully described and more particularly defined in the annexed claims.

The various features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a development of the cover of the invention in its preferred form for use on a double bed mattress or box spring and showing the form in which the fabric or pliable material used may be cut or stamped out during its manufacture;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective showing the cover of the invention as it appears on a mattress or box spring in its folded position on an ordinary bed;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the mattress cover or box spring cover shown in Fig. 1, showing the rear portion thereof turned into place under a mattress;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mattress cover or box spring cover shown in Fig. 1, showing the rear cover portion, the front coverportion, and the right and left main end portions turned into place under the mattress;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mattress cover or box spring cover shown in Fig. 1, showing the parts thereof as they appear in the completely folded position on a mattress;

Fig, 6 shows a development of the mattress cover or box spring cover of the invention in the preferred form for use on the mattress or box spring of a single bad, and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modification of the mattress cover or box-spring cover particularly adapted for use on a Hollywood bed.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings showing the form of cover which is more particularly adapted for use on the mattress or box spring of a double bed, the numeral 2 designates the main section or body portion of the mattress cover or box spring cover which is preferably in the form of a parallelogram or rectangle and covers and registers with one of the two surfaces forming the top or upper surface and bottom surface of the mattress or box spring. This main body portion of the cover is preferably outlined by a braid or surface ornamentation 4, which serves as a guide in this large size cover in positioning the cover in place on the mattress or box spring. Integral with the main body portion 2 is a section or rear cover portion 6, which in folding the cover in place may be turned over the rear side portion of the mattress or box spring (see Fig. 2) and folded thereunder. Also integral with the main body portion 2 is a front cover section or portion 8 which is adapted to be folded over the forward side portion of the mattress or box spring and folded thereunder. The front cover section or portion 8 may be of a length about twice that of the rear cover portion, so as to overlap a part of the rear section or cover portion when the edges thereof are fastened together by means of the snap fasteners, but if desired the proportions as shown in Fig. 6 may be varied for the double bed mattress or box spring. Also integral with the main bod portion 2 is a left main end section or portion I 0, which is adapted to be folded over the back end of the mattress or box spring (see Fig. 2) and thereunder. Similarly, the right main end section or portion I2 is of a length to be folded over the front end of the mattress or box spring and thereunder a suitable distance such that it may be easily adjusted in place. The cover is also provided with auxiliary end sections to cover and hold in place the folded right and left main end portions l and I2 and to adjust the tension on the cover over the front end and back end of the mattress or box spring. For this purpose, a single adjustable auxiliary end section may be provided which is preferably integral at one end thereof with either the rear cover portion or the front cover portion and adapted to extend a sufficient distance to cover the entire front end or back end of the mattress or box spring, the free end of the auxiliary end section being fastened to the opposite front cover portion or to the rear cover portion by means of snap fasteners or other suitable fastening means. For ease in manufacture and to conserve material in the cutting operation, the

auxiliary end sections are preferably made in two parts at each end of the cover in the folded position. Adjacent the left main end portion, I preferably provide auxiliary end sections I 4 and it, which are ofsufiicient length to overlap a short distance, being adjustably fastened in place by means of snap fastener 18, 20 in one position, or by means of snap fastener I8, 20 in another position, one part l8 of the snap fastener being mounted on the auxiliary end section i4, and the other cooperating parts 20 and 20' for adjusting tension being mounted a short distance apart on the auxiliary end section it, by which the effective length of the auxiliary end sections may be varied. Similar auxiliary end sections 22 and 24 may be provided adjacent the right main Fig. 3 of the drawings.

end portion l 2, being made integral with the rear cover portion and with the front cover portion in such relative positions that when the front and rear cover portions and the main end portions are folded in place under the bottom of a mattress or box spring, the auxiliary end sections 22 and 24 overlap at the front end of the mattress or box spring a sufficient distance so as to be fastened together by the snap fasteners 28, 28 or 26, 28', one part thereof being mounted on the auxiliary end section 22 and the cooperating parts 2! and 28' being mounted on the auxiliary end section 24 a sumcient distance apart to provide for adjustment of tension in the connected parts thereof.

The rear cover portion of the mattress cover is preferably attached to the front cover portion -8 when the cover is in place on a mattress or box spring by means of snap fasteners 30, 32 and 34, 36, the parts 30 and 34 of the snap fasteners being mounted near the forward edge I of the rear .cover portion and the cooperating parts 32 and 35 being mounted near the edge 9 of the front cover portion at distances from the side edges so as to register with the cooperating parts 30 and 34 when the front and rear cover portions are taut under the mattress.

In adjusting and fastening the mattress cover in place on a mattress, the various parts are preferably folded in place in the following sequence, although it is to be understood that other folding sequences may be used, if desired. The mattress cover is first laid on the surface of the mattress so that the braid 4 (see Fig. 2) registers with the upper perimeter of the mattress to be covered. The rear cover portion 6 is then passed over the rear side portion of the mattress and is folded under the corresponding portion of the mattress so that the front edge 1 lies parallel to the rear edge of the mattress in the manner indicated in The front cover portion 8 is then folded over the forward side portion of the mattress and is then inserted under the mattress by lifting the forward side portion of the mattress, the inserted portion being straightened so that the edge 9 of the front cover portion overlaps and is parallel to the edge i of the rear cover portion 6; in the manner indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The front and rear cover portions are then fastened together by means of the snap fasteners 30, .32 and 34, 36. The main end portions ill and i2 are then folded over the back end and front end of the mattress and under the corresponding ends of the mattress so that the edge portions II and [3 lie parallel in the manner indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The auxiliary end portions i4 and I6 at the back end of the mattress are then folded over the back end of the mattress so as to cover the adjacent portion of the left main end portion i0 and the snap fastener part I8 is inserted into the corresponding part 20, or 20', whichever gives the more satisfactory adjustment. In a corresponding manner, the auxiliar and sections 22 and 24 are folded over the front end of the mattress and the adjacent portion of the right main end portion i2 and are fastened in place by means of snap fasteners 26, 28 or 26, 28', depending upon which cooperating pair gives the more satisfactory tension or adjustment.

Although the above folding sequence is preferred under ordinary circumstances, it will be understood that the cover may be applied to a mattress or box spring by first folding the main end portions I0 and I! over the corresponding wrinkles.

ends of a mattress or box spring and under the same, after which the front 'and rear cover portions may be put into place in either desired preferably applied to the top surface of the mattress or box spring, although this portion of the cover may, if desired, be placed under the mattress or box spring so as to contact with the bottom surface thereof, by which the folding operation takes place mainly over the top surface of the mattress or box spring. If the cover is applied with the surface 2' under the mattress or box spring, the covered mattress or box spring may then be turned over after the folding operation so that the surface 2' is uppermost during use.

In this form of the invention, the seam 4 or ornamentation as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings may be omitted, but it is to be understood that any desired form of ornamentation may be used. The various parts l0, l2, I4, I6, 22 and 24 are similarto the corresponding parts 8, I0, I2, I4, I6, 22 and 24 as described in connection with Fig. 1, but it is to be understood that the various dimensions of the parts may be varied as desired to fit any specific form of mattress or box spring. The rear cover portion 6' in this form of the invention is preferably of a width only slightly greater than the thickness of the mattress or box spring so as to cover the rear side portion of the mattress or box spring and to extend a sufficient distance beyond the side so as to provide space for snap fastener portions 40 which are to engage cooperating snap fastener portions 42' 6 portion I2 may be combined with the side I08 of the front cover portion 8' which is to be positioned adjacent thereto. The end portion I2 may be fastened so as to enclose the right auxiliary end sections 22' and 24', or it may be fastened or combined with the edge I08 before the right auxiliary end sections are joined, by which the auxiliary end sections will lie over the adjacent right main end portion I2 in the final position pf the cover. In a similar manner, the snap fastener parts H0, H2, H4, H6, 8', I20 and I22 adjacent the edge I24 of the left main end portion I0 will engage corresponding snap fastener parts I26, I28, I30, I32, I34, I36

and I38 which are similarly spaced for engagement therewith adjacent the edge I40 of the front cover portion 8, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings which is particularly adapted and proportioned to fit the mattress or box spring of a. single bed, the dimensions a, b, c, d, e, f, g

along the edge 9' 0f the front cover portion 8'.

The snap fastener portions 40', along the-edge 'l' of the rear cover portion 6' are equally spaced and are of the same number as the similarly spaced snap fastener portions 42' along the edge 9'. Snap fastener parts 46', 48', 50' and 52' on the auxiliary end section 22' are similarly positioned so as to engage and .cooperate with the fastener parts 54', 56', 58' and 60' on the auxiliary end section 24' as shown in Fig. 6 of the'drawings so as to provide for at least two positions of engagement to obtain the desired amount of tension in the cooperating auxiliary end sections. Similarly, the snap fastener parts 62', 64', 66' and 60'- on the auxiliary end section l4 are positioned thereon with relation to the positions of the corresponding fastener parts 10, I2, 14', and 16' on the auxiliary end section I6, so that the said end sections I4 and I6 may be folded over the left main end portion I0 of the cover when in place on a. mattress or box spring with a suitable tension overthe corresponding end to hold the parts of the cover firmly in place.

- In order to securely fasten the right main end portion I2 in place over the corresponding front end of the mattress (see Fig. 2), snap fastener parts 18', 82', 84', 86', 08' and 90" may be provided and evenly spaced along the edge 92' of the right main end portion I2, and snap fasadapted to cooperate therewith may be correspondingly spaced along the edge I08 of the front cover portion 0', by which the right main end and h are preferably proportioned substantially,

as shown in the drawings and by way of example may be as follows: a is '72"; bis 38 c is 38 d is 7 e is 12%"; f is 12%"; g is 22"; and h is 7 /2".

Obviously the above dimensions may be varied or proportioned as desired in the making of a cover to fit any particular mattress or box spring.

'If desired, straps or handles 38' may be provided at the mid-portions of the rear cover portions 6' and corresponding strap members or handles 44' may be provided at'the mid-portion of the section II, the strap members being preferably equally spaced from the center line of the cover on each side thereof so as to distribute the weight when the handles are grasped in turning the combined mattress and cover, or box spring and cover.

It is of importance in making the cover that the parts be accurately proportioned in the required size so as to obtain a snug fit and to avoid wrinkles or folds when the cover is in place on a. mattressor box spring. It will be understood that mattresses for a single bed, for example, are

generally of a. standard uniform size or uniform sizes when made by a given manufacturer, and a mattress cover to fit such standard mattresses may be designed with the required clearance to obtain a proper fit. It is preferable to employ a pre-shrunk fabric material in making the cover of the invention as above described, as otherwise allowance for shrinkage should be made in order that the cover may satisfactorily fit after being laundered.

It is to be understood that the mattress cover as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings may be applied to a mattress or box spring in substantially the same manner as has been described above in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, but the single form of cover may readily be applied to a mattress, for example, by first placing the part 2' under the mattressand then makin the connections of the snap fastener parts in the manner above described over the top of the mattress, after which the mattress may be turned over by means of the handles 38' or 44' so that the surface 2' is uppermost, but it may be desired to allow the cover to remain in the position in which the part or surface 8' forms the upper surface of the cover.

' It will be understood thatone of the main advantages of the forms of the cover as shown in laundered without forming air pockets or an envelope to hold air in the washing operation and in passing through the wringer, or in ironing the same by means of a mangle.

A modification of the cover of the invention for use on a Hollywood bed may readily be made in the forms similar to those described in connection with Figs. 1 and 6 of the drawings by providing openings 2, I, S, and I48 adjacent the corners of the main body portion 2 within the perimeter of the braid 4, corresponding to the positions of the legs of the Hollywood bed, which may be passed through the openings, and the parts of the mattress may then be folded into position in the manner above described in connection with Fig. 6 of the drawings when the main body portion 2' is laid under the mattress. In the form of the cover as illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, single auxiliary end sections I50 and I52 may be provided which are of a length to reach from one corner to the adjacent corner of the mattress, snap fastener parts I54 and I56 being mounted at the ends of the auxiliary end sections and on the portions of the cover to which the ends of the auxiliary end sections are to be connected.

It will be understood that various changes or modifications may be made in the cover above described, such as changes in dimensions of the parts, ornamentation and fastening means as will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the annexed claims. It will be understood also that if the cover of the invention is to be applied to a Hollywood bed of a form having both a box spring and a mattress, the cover of the form shown in Fig. 6 or that shown in Fig. 1 may be applied to the mattress in the manner above described without the use of the modification as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. As fastening means for fastening parts of the cover together, tape or ribbons might be used in place of the snap fastener parts described, or as a temporary fastening means, pins or safety pins might be employed, but these would ordinarily be used only when unshrunk fabric is being fitteduntil after the cover has been laundered. The invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments as described except as to specific limitations included in the claims annexed hereto.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A unitary cover for the mattress or box spring element of a bed, said cover comprising a sheet of pliable material having a main section in substantially the form of a parallelogram and adapted to cover one of the two surfaces forming the top and bottom of said element, a section arranged to cover one of the sides of said element and extending from said main section, a second section arranged to' cover the opposite side of said element and extending from the main section at the opposite side of the first-named section, a second main section extending from said second section, a pair of main end sections extending in opposite directions from the remaining sides of the firstnamed main section, auxiliary end sections ex-' adapted to cover one of the two surfaces forming the top and bottom of said element, a section arranged to cover one of the sides of said element and extending from said main section, a second section arranged to cover the opposite side of said element and extending from the main section from the opposite side of the first-named section, a second main section extending from said second section, a pair of main end sections extending in opposite directions from the remaining sides of the first-named main section, a pair of auxiliary end sections extending in opposite directions from each of the two side-covering sections, said auxiliary end sections being located one each adiacent a side of a main end section and cooperating fastening means arranged to hold the auxiliary end sections in tension adjacent the side-covering sections on said bed element.

3. A unitary cover for the mattress or box spring element of a bed, said cover comprising a sheet of pliable material having a main section in substantially the form of a parallelogram and adapted to cover one of the two surfaces forming the top and bottom of said element, a section arranged to cover one of the sides of said element and extending from said main section, a second section arranged to cover the opposite side of said element and extending from the main section at the opposite side of the first-named section, a second main section extending from the said second section, a pair of main end sections extending in opposite directions from the remaining sides of the first-named main section, a pair of auxiliary end sections extending in opposite directions from each of the two side-covering sections and adapted to overlap the adjacent auxiliary end section and cooperating fastening means arranged to hold the overlapping ends of the auxiliary end sections together under tension adjacent the sidecovering sections on said bed element.

4. A unitary cover for the mattress or box spring element of a bed, said cover comprising a sheet of pliable material having a main section in substantially the form of a parallelogram and adapted to cover one of the two surfaces forming the top and bottom of said element, a section arranged to cover one of the sides of said element and extending from said main section, a second section arranged to cover the opposite side of said element and extending from the main section at the opposite side of the first-named section, a second main section extending from said second section, a pair of main end sections extending in opposite directions from the remaining sides of the first-named main section, a pair of auxiliary end sections extending in opposite directions from the two side-covering sections and cooperating fastening means arranged to hold the auxiliary end sections in tension against the side-covering sections on said bed element.

5. A unitary cover for the mattress or box spring element of a bed, said cover comprising a sheet of pliable material having a main section in substantially the form of a rectangle and adapted to cover one of the two surfaces forming the top and bottom of said element, a section arranged to cover one of the sides of said element and extending from a longitudinal side of said main section, a second section arranged to cover the opposite side of said element and extending from the main section at the opposite longitudinal side of the first-named section, a second main section extending from the said second section, a pair of main end sections extending in opposite directions from the transverse sides of the firstnamed main section, a pair of auxiliary end sections extending in opposite directions from the two side-covering sections and cooperating snap fastener parts on said auxiliary end sections arranged to hold adjacent auxiliary end sections together in tension against the adjacent side-covering sections on said bed element GRETCHEN G. THOMAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number UNITED STATES RATENTS Name Date ,Roever May 28, 1918 Fink et a1. Sept. 9, 1919 Hoffman Apr. 6, 19 0 Schimmel July 29, 1924 Bockhold May 4, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Jan. 16, 1930 

